This past January, the Alligator published an article about the UF School of Music building and its desperate need for repair and renovations. Though its faculty and students have long called for changes to the building’s structure, many of us remained unaware of the situation inside the building. Most recently, anti-slip coating and handrails were installed in the stairwells. Though the public attention and minor renovations are a step in the right direction, the condition of the building is still very dire. Recently, I have been given tours of the building by a music student and professor.
During these tours, I spoke with students, employees and faculty who were concerned about working in such a space. The building’s issues include an outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; the absence of a fire sprinkler system; constant electrical and plumbing problems; crowded rooms; musical equipment at risk of damage; and poor acoustics that put students and faculty at risk of hearing damage.
The entire music building is open-air, exposing its occupants to bugs, rain, wind, cold, heat and humidity. It does not even contain a recital hall, and its occupants often pay high sums of money to rent out space in University Auditorium or the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Though they continue to produce beautiful performances and contributions to the Gainesville community, students and faculty do not deserve to work under these difficult circumstances.
The program continues to expand, seeking to increase the number of music majors and music faculty. Though the building’s occupants have succeeded in spite of these issues, the infrastructure is detrimental to their success and growth. UF cannot become a top university with these sort of facilities and must consider the impact that such a building will have on our students, faculty and campus.
Amanda Nelson is a student senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
